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5D15 55 022 plus 2 Translator Coaches.

Glasgow Works Dep. 10.31

Eastfield Passenger Loop Arr. 10.47, Run Round, Dep. 11.12

Bellgrove Pass 11.22

Shields Junction Arr. 11.42

Shields Depot Arr. 11.49

5N11 55 022 plus 2 translator coaches and Class 318 E.M.U.

Shields Depot Dep. 12.53

Shields Junction Dep. 13.00

High Street Junction Arr. 13.12, Dep. 13.20

Eastfield Passenger Loop Arr. 13.36, Run Round, Dep. 14.01

Glasgow Works Arr. 14.17

************PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE TRAINS ARE POSSIBLY SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION AND CHANGES TO TIMES AND ROUTE STATED ************

5D15 55 022 plus 2 Translator Coaches and possibly E.M.U.

Glasgow Works Dep. 10.31

Eastfield Passenger Loop Arr. 10.47, Run Round, Dep. 11.12

Bellgrove Pass 11.22

Shields Junction Arr. 11.42

Shields Depot Arr. 11.49

5N11 55 55 022 plus 2 Translator Coaches and possibly E.M.U.

Shields Depot Dep. 12.53

Shields Junction Dep. 13.00

High Street Junction Arr. 13.12, Dep. 13.20

Eastfield Passenger Loop Arr. 13.36, Run Round, Dep. 14.01

Glasgow Works Arr. 14.17

************PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE TRAINS ARE POSSIBLY SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION AND CHANGES TO TIMES AND ROUTE STATED ************

‘Royal Scots Grey’  in her new guise as 55 003 ‘Meld is scheduled to work across Glasgow for GB RailFreight on Friday the 13th February with another E.M.U. move to Shields T.M.D.

Timings are as follows:-

5D15 55 022 plus 2 Translator Coaches and Class 318 E.M.U.

Glasgow Works Dep. 10.31

Eastfield Passenger Loop Arr. 10.47, Run Round, Dep. 11.12

Bellgrove Pass 11.22

Shields Junction Arr. 11.42

Shields Depot Arr. 11.49

5N11 55 022 plus 2 translator coaches.

Shields Depot Dep. 12.53

Shields Junction Dep. 13.00

High Street Junction Arr. 13.12, Dep. 13.20

Eastfield Passenger Loop Arr. 13.36, Run Round, Dep. 14.01

Glasgow Works Arr. 14.17

We hope that the sun will be shining and the fresh paintwork gleaming!!.

Thanks to Bill Wilson for the image at the top of this page showing 5N11 at Springburn Station on Friday 6th February.

************PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE TRAINS ARE POSSIBLY SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION AND CHANGES TO TIMES AND ROUTE STATED ************

As many will by now be aware, 55 022 ‘Royal Scots Grey’ had its repaint completed as scheduled at Knorr-Bremse Rail Services Works at Springburn and was rolled out of the paint shop on the morning of 6th February in time to work her booked train to Shields T.M.D.

The loco now carries the number 55 003 and the name ‘Meld’ with white windows as applied at Finsbury Park Depot. This loco was the first to receive this embellishment at the North London Depot and was completed on the 6th April 1979. The Finsbury Park ‘White Window’ colour scheme was a favourite of many Deltic fans and many have commented that they would like to see 22 in this scheme at some stage.

An attempt was made to apply White Windows in vinyl at Bury in July 2013, after a full day of work, it was decided that vinyl would not work and the plan was abandoned. The scheme was resurrected as soon as work was planned to start on the repaint in mid January 2015 and we decided to go the whole way and also revive some memories of a long lost favourite of many.

From feedback received, it seems that 99% of people who have commented are wholly in favour of our venture and we have received so many great compliments. At the end of the day, it’s paint, vinyl graphics and a few bits of metal, that will be carried for a period which have enabled such a dramatic transformation and the loco will always be 55 022 ‘Royal Scots Grey’ during her time showing respect to her late sister.

The work was far from a simple ‘blow over’ paint job, with some new body panels fitted, repairs to various sections completed as well as replacement of thousands of nuts, bolts and rivets generally with brand new rust free stainless steel components and also replacement of seals and gaskets with brand new. All in all a lot of work and a lot of cost, but the quality of the end result is evidence that we have invested wisely for the future well being of the famous first of the Class 55’s.

Thank you to all involved at Knorr-Bremse Rail Services, Springburn Works in Glasgow for achieving such a fantastic end result. The work was carried out with pride and passion by the day and night shifts, which involved a huge number of individual members of staff. Special thanks to Jim McKeen for originally assessing the job in great detail, Archie Ferguson for ensuring all the work was completed both on time and to our specific requirements. Finally, all the lads on the shop floor. Well done boys, a job to be really proud of.

Thanks again to the volunteer team involved recently, namely Andy McLean, Dave Greenwood, Andy Marra and Alan Knight, your help is once again much appreciated. Finally, thanks to all who have made such encouraging and welcome comments and I hope all who see the loco in action will enjoy a little variety.

A few photos below taken on my phone show the loco on Thursday 5th and Friday 6th February.

Best Wishes to all, Martin……

HUGH WATKIN

IAN BEATTIE

DAVID ROBINSON

TIM ROGERS

MARK GRAINGER

ANDY COWARD

ALASTAIR CULF

NIGEL BENNING

J. PHILLIPS

A. JACKSON

DEREK STORRS

TONY KIRKHAM

GRAHAM JACKMAN

JONATHAN PANNAL

JEFF DAYSH

All involved with the locos would like to express our sincere thanks as the amounts raised will assist us greatly with the forthcoming expensive work on the loco. We will endeavour to provide a monthly update of amounts raised and a list of those who have kindly made generous donations.

In addition, than you to all who have made purchases of our merchandise through the ‘sales’ section of our website. All sales are very much appreciated and also assist us greatly with our work on ‘Gordon Highlander’ and ‘Royal Scots Grey’.

Here are a few images taken and kindly sent through to me by Archie Ferguson from Knorr-Bremse Rail Services at Springburn showing the loco inside the huge oven and waiting for the first coat of blue to be applied to the main body.

Apologies that the images are rather restricted, but there’s not much room to move inside that oven when a 70 foot long loco is inside!

Massive progress can be seen when compared to the photos that I took on Tuesday and the body sides look beautifully straight and smooth.

I’m very happy with the way the job is progressing and trust that the final job will justify the large investment in a top quality professional 2 pack finish. I hope to have other images soon and will display any on this site when time allows. Martin…

The aluminium roof grilles are seen here inside another section of Glasgow Works awaiting cleaning, these will be painted separately and ‘baked’ in the oven and refitted when ready.

As previously mentioned, all the air filters have been removed so as not to get contaminated with dust or paint during the work, this includes 20 nose side filters, 12 Roof mounted filters and 6 engine air intake filters. The engine air intake filters are shown here, these will be thoroughly cleaned prior to being re-installed in the engine room.

I hope that readers have found these posts interesting, I can’t wait to see it next week when it’s painted and we get it all back together again. The locos sure keep us busy!!! Cheers, Martin…